THE communists should not be seen as independence fighters as they created problems for the nation, said veterans who fought the Communist Party of Malaya, adding that this would dishonour patriots. 

Former VAT69 commando Halim Ishak who attended an anti-communist rally at Padang Merbok yesterday told The Malaysian Insight that it’s also a betrayal for family members who lost their loved ones during the insurgency.

“Women became widows and children became orphans because of the communists. To acknowledge them is akin to dishonour the wives of former independence fighters.

“CPM was branded as a terror group back then, why must we consider them as freedom fighters. They didn’t fight for independence,” Halim told The Malaysian Insight.

The former commando urged the Home Ministry and the police to act swiftly against groups that were trying to revive the ideology.

“We are tired of hearing about action is going to be taken. We want those involved to be arrested. Our national security is at stake,” said Halim who was once involved in the rescue mission of four Malaysians held hostage by Abu Sayyaf militants.

Halim was among the personnel from the VAT69 unit who met Nur Misuari, a leader and founder of Moro National Liberation Front (MNLF), to secure the captives’ release in 2016.

Halim was also involved in Op Rambo II, an operation to detain former Philippines marine soldier Rizal Alih, who turned rogue by killing an army general in 1994.

For former police officer attached to the famous Special Branch F Team unit S. Sritharan, communism is no longer relevant and any attempt to revive the movement must not be tolerated.

Sritharan told The Malaysian Insight that the war is now over and there is no need for the communists to revive their ideology.

“There is no need to revive the movement as it is no longer relevant. If they want to just commemorate, then it’s okay but for what. It is all over, there is no need to,” said Sritharan, 61.

Halim and Sritharan were commenting on an event marking the 30th anniversary of the Hat Yai peace accord in Kajang, Selangor, on December 1.

The anti-communist gathering yesterday was organised by the Retired Senior Police Officers’ Association of Malaysia (Respa).

Some 400 former police officers attended the rally which started at 9am.

Recalling his experience, Sritharan divulged that he once disguised as a rubber tapper in Kepong Meh plantation in Mentakab, Pahang, in June 1985 to track down Wong Chew Nam, a district committee member of the 15th Armed Forces (AWF) of the CPM.

Wong’s nom de guerre was Ah Poh Suk.

“I was 28 years old and my task was to track down Ah Poh Suk and his group. I was a rubber tapper for 11 months at the plantation. Ah Poh Suk frequently came to the plantation to ask for food from the owner – a Chinese family.

“I disguised myself under the name Raguvan and I met Ah Poh Suk 11 times. After 11 months, in May 1986, the orders came in, we were tasked to catch them alive but it didn’t happen. Ah Poh Suk and two of his comrades were killed in action as they tried to attack my men when they barged into the house,” said Sritharan.

Asked on his thoughts about communism, Sritharan said they were only there to overthrow a government chosen democratically by the people.

“They were only there to create trouble. For the country and the people. They wanted to overthrow a government that was democratically elected.” – December 25, 2019.